When kids are just toddlers, they love books. Children are delighted when mom or dad reads to them. Sometimes even into grade school, these kids continue their love of reading. So what happens when they get older?

Somewhere in the years between elementary school and adulthood, the lack of interest in reading sets in. For some, the problem begins in school when they are faced with learning how to write essays and grammar is taught. This puts a technical side onto reading that most people would rather skip. Valued is the teacher who can make these parts of a child's education, fun. A child lucky enough to have such a teacher, may maintain his love of books. But those who make these subjects dry will add to the dislike of reading.

Many teens only read what is required of them in the classroom and even then it gets short shift. Reading no longer holds any interest for them. It has become boring and unexciting. It has been replaced by video games, computers, hanging out with friends, extreme sports, and numerous other things. These things are geared for the impatient kid since they change focus and direction constantly and offer new views and excitement every second. The instant gratification most young people need is met with these activities leaving little time or reason to explore books.

Books and reading are so vital to the creation of a well-balanced person that their importance cannot be overlooked. When a person is unable to read, life is pretty difficult. Think about all you could not do if you were illiterate. A person who cannot read the instructions on a medicine bottle, could accidentally take the wrong dosage or cause himself or herself a major problem when they use medicine that is unsuitable. Following a simple recipe would be impossible if you did not have the skill of reading. Signs on streets and roads would have no meaning for you. You could not intelligently sign contracts or other important papers if you could read and know what you were agreeing to on that paper. Bus schedules or flights arrivals could be hard to understand. Employment is often dependent on a person being able to read certain documents. Do you realize a lack of this skill could cause you a chance at a job and greatly reduce chances of any increase in income. There are probably hundreds of problems connected with illiteracy.

One main reason to encourage a love of reading is the doorway it opens for you by providing you with knowledge and entertainment. Learning should be an ongoing event lasting throughout life. Those who do not read tend to stagnate because they never move forward. They neither gain knowledge, nor expand their horizons. Their life is dull compared to someone who can visit countries all over the world by reading a book. Readers get to be intimate friends of those who lived centuries before the reader was even born, simply because of books. We can expand our understanding and knowledge about any subject that appeals to us. The person who reads can wile away countless hours getting lost in the world of a book, being caught up in another's story, at a different time and place.

Readers, benefit so much from that single ability, it is shameless for people to be unable to read or not wish to take advantage of this great gift.

Parents must encourage kids to read. It is unlikely that many teens will ask you for books for gifts, but give them anyway in addition to what that teen really desires. Sharing books you are reading, by oral review, at the dinner table could spark interest in a wonderful new topic your teen had previously thought nothing about. But, most important, if your child learns to read well and appreciate all forms of literature, you will have helped him develop a life skill. This will be a meaningful way to spend extra time and give him another outlet for his own creativity. Don't underestimate this great gift. If you have children who experience difficulty in reading- get them help. It is too serious a problem to ignore.

Credits: Jo Ann Wentzel